Success Mindset

I pride myself on being on time. Back when my college-age kids were in preschool, that meant a lot of wrangling to get out the door. One day, we rushed in a ghastly 15 minutes late. I ran over to Teacher Sue and frantically explained that my son had insisted on tying his own shoes which took forever! She replied, “Isn’t that great?” 

That simple question stopped me in my tracks.

Where does our success mindset even come from? Like so much else, these ideas began populating our brains when we were children. Since then, parents, teachers, peers, advertising, society and culture have all played into our success mindset. 

And how often do we stop to think about what success really means to us?

As proud as they are of their grown children, very few of my older Familial clients ever mention what colleges their kids attended. Here’s how one 85 year old client - and lifelong mentor -- equates success with generosity: 

“There is great reward and deep pleasure in success that’s in the interest of one’s self, one’s family and one’s communities. It includes finding and learning from those on the paths ahead of you and turning to help those behind you.”

My experienced clients like Chris hone in on what we would agree is most important. It’s about how you achieve success and what you do with it that matters.

Eighty-one year old Patty is my success hero. Like many, she’s had her fair share of hardship and her struggles have informed her outlook. Here’s Patty's recipe for success:  “For me, true success is about being motivated and having desire. It’s about learning from your successes and failures, remaining positive and open. You don’t need to achieve all this on your own. Find a mentor, practice and love yourself!”

To help you think about your success mindset, I have an assignment for you. Take a few quiet moments to think through these questions:

  • How did your parents talk about success

  • What does success for you - and for your kids - look like?

  • Which aspects are most important and why?

  • What knowledge and people resources can you tap to get you there?

Good luck on your path to success, however you define it. Reach out to me to share your aha moments.

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Time’s in the Fast Lane

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Getting it Right